Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: October 9 – 15, 2016

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Fall is one of the best times of year in the Hill Country, next to bluebonnet season, of course! The air is cool, the wine is flowing, and the pumpkins are ripe for the picking. Check out this week’s events:

Sunday, October 9, 2016

4764540278_7e92c14aec_bPhoto: Flickr/Ken Hawkins

The Fall Festival and Great Pumpkin Maze Get yourself lost in the Great Maze before heading over to the Great Pumpkin Patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. There will also be live music and plenty of good food to fill your belly. Admission $14; children 2 and under are free. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. September 24 – November 13, 2016. Barton Hill Farms, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop, Texas. bartonhillfarms.com

Fiesta Winery Live Music on the Patio Enjoy some live music every Saturday and Sunday while you sip on Texas Hill Country’s very own wine! Be sure to pick up a bottle or two before you leave. Saturday 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 6260 US Hwy E 290, Fredericksburg, Texas. fiestawinery.com

Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch Find out how cider is made, paint a pumpkin, play an instrument, tour the apple orchards, and groom a pony at this incredible pumpkin patch. There is so much to do you may have to plan on going more than once! Hay rides are unlimited. $6 per person; children 2 and under are free. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday – Monday. October 3-31, 2016. lovecreekorchards.com

Gruene Music & Wine Fest Two of the Hill Country’s most cherished commodities come together in one fantastic festival. Get in on the Great Guitar Auction while enjoying some great Texas wine and live Texas music alongside some delicious food samplings on the banks of the Guadalupe River. For those not into wine (gasp!), there will be some specialty beers being served up as well. Benefits the United Way of Comal County. 5:30 p.m. October 6-9, 2016. Gruene Hall and The Grapevine, Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels, Texas. gruenemusicandwinefest.com

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Guadalupe County Fair & Rodeo It’s the perfect time of year for a county fair and this one never fails to impress. Not only will you find good old-fashioned fair classics, such as a carnival, classic fair food, live music, livestock shows, and games, you will find a youth dessert battle, a scarecrow contest, and a wine garden! October 6-9, 2016. Guadalupe County Fairgrounds, 728 Midway, Seguin, Texas. gcfair.org

Harvest of Fall Fun! Stuff a scarecrow, eat some candy corn or some ice cream, scurry through a hay maze, pick some flowers, hop aboard the Sweet Berry Express Barrel Train or a hayride, and, of course, pick out a pumpkin or two. Open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. September 24 – November 6, 2016. Sweet Berry Farm, 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, Texas. sweetberryfarm.com

Hill Country Wine Trail Month Take a self-guided tour of the Hill Country Wine Trail. Pair some delicious food with some equally delicious Hill Country wines, meander through vineyards and wineries to gain a whole new perspective on why the Texas Hill Country has the best wine on earth. A portion of the proceeds benefits Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Individuals. $40; couples $70. Limit four wineries per ticket. Pickup and drop-off are provided at the Texas Hill Country winery of your choosing, which is designated when purchasing your ticket. October 1 – 31, 2016. Contact 872-216-9463. texaswinetrail.com

Kerr County Celtic Festival & Scottish Highland Games Discover Scottish heritage through song, dance, Scottish athletics, food, art, and music. Get involved in workshops and pick up a gift or two from various vendors. Admission $10. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. October 8-9, 2016. Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theater Rd., Ingram, Texas. kerrcountyceltic.com

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New Cowboy Church Attend this Sunday morning worship service to celebrate God’s grace, love, and mercy. Service is held at the Fredericksburg Marktplatz, so be sure to bring a chair, some donuts, and a coffee. Enjoy a little down-to-earth fellowship with your community and receive a free copy of Dan Kelley’s book “God Wrote You a Love Letter.” Since the church is run by volunteers, no offering plate is passed, just post-its, which Kelly explains he will talk about in the service. Just come as you are! 10 a.m. Fredericksburg Marktplatz, Fredericksburg, Texas.

Pig Roast One of the very few old-school motorcycle runs in Texas will be hosting a pig roast with a mighty good cause. It will provide funding for toys that will go to the Cherokee Home for Children. Set up a tent to camp out, take a gander at some of the bikes, place bids in live and silent auctions, dance to some amazing live music, and chow down on BBQ. $30 per person. Anyone under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an adult. From 7 a.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Sunday. October 7-9, 2016. Blanco County Fairgrounds, 619 U.S. 281 N., Johnson City, Texas. jcpigroast.org

Scarecrow Invasion Scarecrows will be taking over Comfort, Texas again this year in a creative display like no other. At the beginning of October, scarecrows begin popping up here and there, until there are so many scarecrows that even the black birds won’t fly by. In the middle of the month, scarecrows will be judged in categories that range from “Only in Comfort” to “Best of Invasion”. Free. October 1-31, 2016. Throughout Comfort, Texas. comfortchamber.com

South Texas Maize Twist and turn through a mind-boggling 7-acre maze, pick some pumpkins, race down the Matter-Corn Mountain Slide, relax on a hayride, and chill by a campfire. There is plenty to do, and eat, at South Texas Maize! Admission $15; children 2 and under are free. Fridays 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. September 17 – November 20, 2016. Graff 7A Ranch, 911 U.S. Hwy. 90 East, Hondo, Texas. southtexasmaize.com

Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch This pumpkin patch is chock full of activities and special events. Not only will you get to pick out the perfect pumpkin, but you can also take a hay ride, feed farm animals, paint a pumpkin, or get your face painted. Special events include live music, story time, contests every Saturday at 3 p.m., and a special day just for canines on October 26th. Be sure to catch a bite to eat at The Big Grill on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, but there are some paid events and special activities. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. September 30 – October 30, 2016. Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch, 4625 E. Hwy 29, Bertram, Texas. Facebook/Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

farmers-marketPhoto: Wikimedia/Travis Isaacs

Dripping Springs Farmer’s Market Head to the farmer’s market to shop for local, fresh food and help support your local farmers! 3 p.m. – dusk. Every Wednesday, year round. The Triangle, Hwy 290 & RR 12, Dripping Springs, Texas. cityofdrippingsprings.com

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Bandera Farmer’s Market Head to the farmer’s market to shop for local, fresh food and help support your local farmers! There will be farm fresh eggs, wholesome organic produce, rare Asian vegetables, fresh-baked goods, and tons more. 8 – 11 a.m. Sid’s Bar B Que, 702 Main Street, Bandera, Texas.

Friday, October 14, 2016

guitar-classical-guitar-acoustic-guitar-electric-guitarPhoto: Pexels

Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival This event is fairly new to the festival scene, but it offers something amazing to the community. Songwriters unite to not only perform some fantastic music but to also raise funds for Kids in a New Groove, a local non-profit that provides musical instruments and musical instruction to foster children in Central Texas. October 14-16, 2016. There are six different venues where musicians will be performing in Dripping Springs, Texas. drippingspringssongwritersfestival.com

Oktoberfisch Fly Festival Relish is the beauty and wonder of the Texas Hill Country while casting a line to catch that “big one”. Who knows? Maybe you will snag a fishing prize. $25 registration. October 14-16, 2016. South Llano River RV Park, 210 Cedar Creek Rd., Junction, Texas. fredericksburgflyfishers.com

South Texas Maize Twist and turn through a mind-boggling 7-acre maze, pick some pumpkins, race down the Matter-Corn Mountain Slide, relax on a hayride, and chill by a campfire. There is plenty to do, and eat, at South Texas Maize! Admission $15; children 2 and under are free. Fridays 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. September 17 – November 20, 2016. Graff 7A Ranch, 911 U.S. Hwy. 90 East, Hondo, Texas. southtexasmaize.com

Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch This pumpkin patch is chock full of activities and special events. Not only will you get to pick out the perfect pumpkin, but you can also take a hay ride, feed farm animals, paint a pumpkin, or get your face painted. Special events include live music, story time, contests every Saturday at 3 p.m., and a special day just for canines on October 26th. Be sure to catch a bite to eat at The Big Grill on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, but there are some paid events and special activities. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. September 30 – October 30, 2016. Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch, 4625 E. Hwy 29, Bertram, Texas. Facebook/Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, October 15, 2016

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BOOtanica Saturdays in October Each Saturday in October is designated by the San Antonio Botanical Garden to celebrate the fall season. There will be a different theme each week with fun, hands-on activities: Monarch Madness, AgriLife Day Harvest, Let’s Get Batty, Wild About Scarecrows, and Dia de Los Muertos. Free. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Every Saturday in October. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl., San Antonio, Texas. Contact 210-536-1400. sabot.org

Chalk Festival Don’t think chalk deserves a spot in the art world? Think again! This festival is a true celebration of art, family, and community. Proceeds benefit the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center. Free. 10 a.m. October 15-16, 2016. Peterson Plaza, Peterson Dr., Kerrville, Texas. kerrvillechalk.org

The Fall Festival and Great Pumpkin Maze Get yourself lost in the Great Maze before heading over to the Great Pumpkin Patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. There will also be live music and plenty of good food to fill your belly. Admission $14; children 2 and under are free. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. September 24 – November 13, 2016. Barton Hill Farms, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop, Texas. bartonhillfarms.com

The Farmer’s Market at Cibolo Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey, and Texas Hill Country arts and crafts at the historic Herff Farm. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations, and children’s craft activities! Free. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Rd, Boerne, Texas.

Fiesta Winery Live Music on the Patio Enjoy some live music every Saturday and Sunday while you sip on Texas Hill Country’s very own wine! Be sure to pick up a bottle or two before you leave. Saturday 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 6260 US Hwy E 290, Fredericksburg, Texas. fiestawinery.com

Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch Find out how cider is made, paint a pumpkin, play an instrument, tour the apple orchards, and groom a pony at this incredible pumpkin patch. There is so much to do you may have to plan on going more than once! Hay rides are unlimited. $6 per person; children 2 and under are free. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday – Monday. October 3-31, 2016. lovecreekorchards.com

15019315914_eb164d7ec7_bPhoto: Flickr/smoothgroover22

Harley’s Heroes for Epilepsy Bike Rally Beginning at the Gruene Harley Davidson in New Braunfels, bikers will receive a bite to eat, a Harley’s Heroes for Epilepsy patch before starting their ride. Proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas. $25 to register. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the ride begins at 10 a.m. October 15, 2016. Contact (888) 606-5353. [email protected]

Oktoberfest Stop by the Biergarten and grab a beverage before heading over to the Fire in the Hole Chili Cook-off at this German heritage festival. Browse arts and crafts booths, enjoy some tasty food and live music, and take a stab at riding the mechanical bull. For the kiddos, there will be a bounce house, face painting, and pony rides. Admission $5. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. October 15, 2016. Chamber Arena, Leakey, Texas. friochambercanyon.com

Ranch Heritage Day Head out to the Hill Country State Natural Area to celebrate the history of what makes Texas so unique. Enjoy some samplings off the chuck wagon, take a free covered wagon ride, do a little camping while you’re there. There will be an equine play-day and a mock cattle round-up for the kiddos. Free. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hill Country State Natural Area, 10600 Bandera Creek Rd., Bandera, Texas. tpwd.texas.gov

Texas Presentations Antique Show Get your hands on some lost treasure at the country antique show. Over 50 vendors will set up to sell their old-time treasures. Admission $5. $1 off coupon available on website. October 15-16, 2016. Comfort Park, 403 Hwy 27, Comfort, Texas. texasantiqueshows.com